'Girls' creator Lena Dunham uses Instagram to announce show's return

Rather than spread the news in an interview or through a press release, "Girls" creator Lena Dunham took to her Instagram account Wednesday to announce the return date for her acclaimed HBO dramedy. Along with the phrase "We're comin' right back #GIRLS," Dunham posted a selfie photo that reads "1/12/14 10 p.m. EST" scrawled (possibly in lipstick) on a mirror.

The show's third season has been highly anticipated for months, partially due to shake-ups within the cast. Christopher Abbott (who played Marnie's on-again, off-again love interest, Charlie) left the series back in April following creative struggles with Dunham. Michael Zegen ("Boardwalk Empire", "The Walking Dead") signed on back in June and — perhaps in response to criticism of the show's almost entirely white cast — Danielle Brooks ("Orange Is the New Black") will join the season as well. "I will be the first black woman to be on 'Girls,'" Brooks said in an interview with Ebony, "so that's exciting for me."

Despite its many controversies, "Girls" has earned consistently strong reviews in its first two seasons. The series earned five Emmy nominations at this year's ceremony, including nods for outstanding directing for a comedy series (for Dunham) and outstanding comedy series.

Though the show won't be back on TV until January, HBO recently gave fans a taste of the third season with this promotional teaser.